A north-central Iowa man with a history of fleeing from law enforcement, who failed to appear at a previously scheduled trial, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Sioux City Federal Court to drug and gun charges, and faces between 15 years and life in prison.
40-year-old Nathan Nickless of Dakota City was convicted of two counts of Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine…one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person…and one count of Failure to Appear.
Nickless had multiple prior felony convictions which prohibit a person from possessing a firearm, including a prior 2008 drug felony for Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Deliver.
Evidence showed that in August of 2023, Fort Dodge authorities attempted a traffic stop on a truck Nickless was driving. He attempted to evade law enforcement onto a river road, and rammed the truck into a non-law enforcement vehicle. Nickless fled on foot, but was eventually apprehended, and was found to be in possession of a loaded nine millimeter handgun and multiple drug-related items. Nickless was federally charged, but was allowed to remain released pending a federal trial on July 8th of last year. Nickless failed to appear for the trial, and attempted to elude law enforcement for the next several months.
On July 9th of last year, a deputy observed Nickless at the Casey’s store in Pocahontas. Nickless failed to follow commands, which led to a pursuit. The vehicle Nickless was driving became disabled near Rolfe, and he fled into a corn field. A search was conducted, but Nickless was not located, and the search was abandoned early the next morning.
On September 28th of last year, law enforcement in Humboldt County became aware that he was in the area. Authorities attempted to stop the vehicle Nickless was driving which led to a pursuit. He abandoned the vehicle in a field by a river. Nickless was found hiding inside a residence in Humboldt County four days later, and was arrested.
Nickless remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service pending sentencing.
